Match package



M y 9, 1950 K. v. KEELEY 2,506,961

MATCH PACKAGE Filed Oct. 27, 1947 INVENTOR.

KEDRIC V. KEELEY Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATCH PACKAGE Kedric V. KeeleylLos-An geles, Calif. Application October 27, 1947, Serial No. 782,398

My invention relates to match packages, and included in the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a match package and match construction wherein a large number of matches may be arranged in an extremely compact manner;

Second, to provide a match package and match construction wherein individual match head units are sealed in a gridwork of cavities or cells and a noninfiammable single match stem member is employed to extract the match heads and to hold them during use;

Third, to provide a match package wherein the match heads may be individually sealed in moisture proof compartments so that even though the package is immersed in water before or after partial use, the unused match heads are unharmed; and

Fourth, to provide a match package which is particularly simple and convenient to use, economical of manufacture and which lends itself to use as an advertising novelty.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is aperspective view of my match package after partial use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a match head shown in position on the match stem;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through 3-3 of Figure 1 showing some of the match cells empty, other cells filled, and illustrating the manner in which a match head is withdrawn by means of the match head stem;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of match stem; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of match head for use with the stem shown in Figure 4.

My match package includes a block I which, in the present instance, is shown as rectangular, but which may be otherwise shaped as desired. The block is provided with a multiplicity of cells 2 which may extend completely through the block or only part way therein. In case the cells extend completely through the block, the bottom side of the block is covered by a bottom plate 3 which is preferably sealed to the walls of the block surrounding the several cells. The top of the block is covered with a plate 4 which is likewise sealed to the walls of the block surrounding the cells. The top plate, although initially sealing each cell, is rupturable.

Within each cell there is positioned a match head 5 which comprises a socket member 6 of '7 Claims. (Cl.20629) inflammable material, the closed end of which is covered with a match head compound 7. This compound may be identical to the so-called safety match, in which case it must engage a companion compound in the form of a striking strip 8 provided on one or more sides of the block I. Alternatively, the'match head may be coated with the two compounds commonly employed in the universal match capable of being ignited by engagement with any rough surface. This is particularly desirable if the match package is to be used under conditions in which it might be immersed or exposed to moisture.

The socket member may be formed of wood or wood impregnated with an' inflammable substance, or may be molded of inflammable plastic. In any case, it is intended that the socket member contain sufficient fuel to burn for the desired length of time.

The block I is provided with a suitable socket which receives a match stem member 9, preferably formed of metal, but in any case, noninfiammable. At least one end of the match stem member is of such size that it may be forced into the socket member 6 as shown in Figure 3.

The top plate 4 may be translucent or transparent so that the several cells are delineated, or to make visible the holes in the socket member. Alternatively, the top plate may have a pattern of indication marks I0 centered over th socket members 5.

While the socket member may have a uniform bore as shown in Figure 3, such bore may be molded to form a restriction l I as shown in Figure 5 and be tapered so as to receive a correspondingly pointed end H of a modified match stem member l3 shown in Figure 4.

Operation of my match package is as follows: When it is desired to extract a match the stem member is thrust through the top plate into the socket of a match head and the match head withdrawn, the top plate being sufilciently weak to rupture and permit withdrawal of the match head without forcing the match head from the stem.

It will be observed that the individual cells 2 may .be completely sealed prior to use and that even though the match package be partially used, the unused cells remain sealed so that at all times the unused match heads are protected.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A match package, comprising: a block having a multiplicity of cells; a match head unit in each cell, each match head unit including an inflammable socket member and a head of irlctionally ignitable material; and a match stem adapted to fit within and attach to the socket member of any of said match head units for withdrawal from said cell.

2. A match package, involving: a block having a multiplicity of sealed cells, one end of each cell being rupturable; a match head unit sealed in each -cell; and a stem member adapted to penetrate the rupturable end of a cell, engage and attach to the match head therein for withdrawal from said cell.

3. A match package, involving: a block having a multiplicity of sealed cells, one end of each cell being rupturable; a match head .unit sealed-in each cell, each match head iin'itincluding a socket member of inflammable material andxa frictionally ignitable head portion; and a stem member adapted toapenetrate the rupturable -end cisaid cell-and-enter saidsocket member thereby to withdraw said match head Jforuse.

4. A match package, involving: a cellular block member; a match head unit sealed in each 'cell,

each match head unit including a socket member of inflammable material and a=frictionally ignltable head portion; and a stem member -end of each cell being rupturable without-open- A mg adjacent cells; a match head unit fitting 2,415,

by to withdraw said match head for use.

-7-. -A match package, involving: a cellular block member; sealing covers for the ends of the cells o'f 'sa'id blokfat least one of said covers being .rupturable; a match head unit sealed in each cell and having a "socket therein; and a stem member :i'adapted to penetrate said rupturable cover to enter said socket, attach to and engage said match-head for removal with-said sten'nsaid rupturable cover bearing means to indicate the location of the sockets in the match head units occupying the :cells thereunder.

KE'DRIIIC V. KEELEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following :r'eferences areof record :in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,240,026 Chapman 'Sept. 11, 1917 780,920 "Honigb'au'm Nov. '11, 1930 .Ancke'r Feb. 18, 1947 

